The seventh game of a Stanley Cup final is always a notable event, a milestone few series reach. The last major playoff final to go to a deciding game happened in St. Louis: 2019, when the Blues defeated the Boston Bruins. Before that, in 2011, Boston again topped Vancouver in a seventh game. In the intervening years, most Finals wrapped in six games or fewer, with only a couple of exceptions.
What stands out is how this year’s final mirrors past drama while moving in its own direction. In 2019, Vladimir Tarasenko captured his first Cup, and today he shares the spotlight with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov in Florida. The 2011 finish looked like a Boston rally: the Bruins were trailing, yet they turned the tide after a 0-2 start and a 2-3 moment, ultimately claiming the final on foreign ice.
This year’s scenario wasn’t identical, but comebacks from a 0-3 deficit in the NHL finals are rare, with only two prior instances. In 1942, Detroit tied Toronto at 0-3 but still fell short of the Cup, and in 1945 Toronto not only erased a 0-3 hole but won the series in seventh place. The Oilers managed to reverse a 0-3 hole in the finals after 79 years, and like Boston in 2011, they clinched on rival soil. They entered the series as favorites, and it followed that narrative: could Chris Knoblock’s squad win three straight with an 18-5 cumulative score?
The playoffs this year also showcased the top player on the planet, Connor McDavid, who shattered Wayne Gretzky’s playoff assists record. He was followed by teammates who piled up points: 42 for McDavid (8 goals, 34 assists), 32 for Evan Bouchard (6 goals, 26 assists), and 31 for Leon Draisaitl (10 goals, 21 assists). Florida’s Matt Tkachuk and Alexander Barkov each posted 22 points, ranking among the leaders of the postseason.
Even before the decisive game, anticipation suggested the Conn Smythe Trophy would belong to McDavid. Historically, the award has rarely gone to a loser, with Jean-Sébastien Giguère of the Anaheim Ducks claiming it in 2003 and a few others who played for clubs that didn’t win the Cup being notable exceptions. The landscape this year looked aligned with the odds—McDavid seemed poised to claim the playoff MVP as the Oilers chased the Cup.
Florida Panthers – Edmonton Oilers – 2:1 (series score – 4-3)
Despite the rough finish in the last three games of the series, Florida started strong in the pivotal game, looking fresh from the opening seconds of the final. The Panthers seized momentum early, a push that culminated in the ejection of visiting forward Warren Foegele after a high-stick incident against Brandon Montour.
The Oilers emphasized a knack for success in these playoffs: playing with a minority presence on the ice, they produced impressive numbers by neutralizing opponents. The performance was a testament to the team’s discipline and execution in tight moments, a factor that had defined their postseason approach, often keeping the game within reach even when trailing.
In the seventh game, Edmonton demonstrated resilience, even with a setback when Foegele left the penalty area but had not yet reached his own zone. Carter Verhaeghe answered with a well-placed shot from the left wing, tying the moment to a larger sequence of events that shaped the game’s rhythm.
Edmonton’s counterpunch proved timely. A counterattack brief but sharp sent Mattias Janmark racing toward the net, with Cody Ceci providing support on the defensive crease. The Swedish forward could not connect on the shot, and the puck skittered away from the net, slipping under the goal frame and past a surprised goalkeeper. The goaltender’s pad deflected the disk, but it stayed in play long enough to threaten a goal. A notable moment involving the goaltender tied the play to the team’s larger effort: Kulikov rushed to the ice and knocked the puck away from danger, preserving the lead.
Both teams created chances down the stretch, yet the scoring remained tense. Bouchard produced a standout moment during the playoff run, stealing control at the blue line and delivering a shot that nearly changed the outcome. The play looked like a microcosm of Edmonton’s approach: aggressive pressure, smart puck management, and a willingness to take risks in transition.
The second period brought heightened intensity, a clash of nerves and strategic caution as players recognized the magnitude of each shift. The tension of a finals game can be palpable, and this period carried that weight, with counterattacks and defensive stalemates shaping the frame.
Bobrovsky’s save against Vogele in the second period was a highlight, though the puck bounced back into the open space where a quick follow-up attempt could have changed the complexion of the game. The Panthers regrouped, and a quick counterattack by Verhaeghe found Sam Reinhart, who redirected the puck in a way that created a new scoring chance. Reinhart’s decision-making in the heart of the zone demonstrated the Panthers’ late-game craft, even as Skinner faced a barrage of shots from Edmonton’s forwards.
Edmonton pressed on, yet Florida maintained composure and found opportunities on the counter. In the late stages, a sharp redirect and a defensive stand defined the closing minutes as the Oilers chased the equalizer. The contest remained a battle of execution under pressure, with both clubs fighting to convert their chances into the decisive goal.
After the final whistle, the Panthers celebrated their victory, a moment that carried symbolism beyond the ice. Sergei Bobrovsky, who had delivered clutch performances throughout the playoffs, added another chapter to his storied postseason career. Dmitry Kulikov also earned his first Stanley Cup, a milestone marked by a team-wide sense of achievement. Tarasenko, who had joined from Ottawa at the deadline, carried himself with the focus of a veteran pursuing his second championship ring. The arena lights reflected on the stands as fans waved the Russian flag among the sea of team jerseys, a vivid reminder of the diverse paths that converged in this title run.